MSU Students Express Presidential Preferences

Murray State students have high expectations for the next university president. More than 70 students on Wednesday attended a frank and hopeful discussion on a wide range of qualities and issues with the Presidential Search Committee. Students said they want a financially literate president who can navigate Frankfort politics... who respects faculty and staff and improves student activities… who understands diversity and will increase recruitment in urban areas. Cole Crocker of Nashville wants a president connected to Murray, but who has also ventured out and found success.

“Specifically, somebody who has represented another large group of people in a different setting. Somebody who has both law and financial backgrounds and is a very goal-oriented person," he said.

Regent Lisa Rudolph chairs the search committee. She said students asked for a dynamic leader and set a high bar. The committee heard from faculty and staff earlier this month. The search process will be set next week. Murray State’s 13th president Bob Davies departed in August. Former university foundation president Bob Jackson is serving as interim

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Michael McCall is the president of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System—and he's among the highest-paid community college administrators in the U.S.

And he'll still earn six-figures after he retires in January.

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In its latest story, the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting found that KCTCS has agreed to pay McCall $324,321 for a year after he leaves his job. As president emeritus, he'll be expected to perform duties at the request of the next KCTCS president.

A review of higher education budget issues has included a call for merging education administration and urging university presidents to become more politically vocal. The discussion occurred during a meeting of the state budget review committee.